Mortar-carriage



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. A. SPILLBR. MDRTAR GARRIAGB.

lPatented Aug. 2, 1892.

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@virulence 111.5 HozumJ '3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

H. A. SPILLER. MORTAR CARRIAGE. No. 480,215.

Patented Aug. 2, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY A. SPILLER, Ol" BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIHNOR T() 'lllll PN EU- MA'IIC GUN CARRIAGE AND POlVER COMPANY, OFYlIEELING, 'EST VIRGINIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,215, d ated August 2, 1892.

Application filed October 9, 1891. Serial No. 408.245.` (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

.Be it known that I, HARRY A. SPILLER, a citizen' of the United States, residing at ]}oston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ltfortar-Carria ges and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the :no art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of mortar-carriages.

The object of the invention is to produce a I5 mortar-carriage of great efficiency as a military arm, both offensive and defensive.

'lhe object of the invention is, furthermore, to facilitate an easy and rapid operation in maneuvering the gun heretofore not 2o obtained by any former construction.

The object of the invention is, further' more, to obviate all lateral strains arising from the recoil of the gun by a system of pneumatic recoil-cylinders arranged in such manner` that the resistance offered in taking up the recoil is always parallel to` the longitudinal axis of the gun at all angles of fire.

The object of the invention is, further'- more, to produce a construction whereby thc 3o gun is returned into battery by the same-system that takes up the reeoil,one system acting in both operations, without assistance of auxiliary cylinders and springs as are now in use. t

The object of the invention is, furthermore, to simplify the construction, thereby reducing the liabilityof derangementof parts and also reducingthe cost of manufacture.

NVith these objects in view the invention 4o consists of a mortar-carriage comprisingr a racer-plate secured to the foundation, on which travels alive roller-ring supporting the bed-plate.

The invention consists, furthermore, of a bed-plate provided with pillars orstays which form bearings for a series of centralizng guide-rollers, thus obviating the necessity of a central pivot.

The invention consists,furthermore, of a 5o circular bed-blate supporting the cheeks of the carriage, which are suitably secured in position thereon, being further supported by a front transom, which is also secured to the bed-plate.

The invention consists, furthermore, of a circular-` bed-plate supporting the cheeks of the carriage, which are provided with 'large trunnion-bearings for the reception of the trunnions formed onplates connecting in pairs the recoil-cylinders and are adapted to' sustain the entire weight of the mortar, to-

' gether with the mechanism for arresting the recoil. Y

The invention consists, furthermore, of a series of recoil-cylinders, in this instance shown cast in pairs, each pair connected by strong plates, which are provided with large trunnions fitting in bearings formed in the upper portion of the 'cheeks of the carriage and secured by bolts.

The inventionl consists, furthermore, of a series of recoil-cylinders which are arranged in pairs by connecting-plates and are provided with ways between the cylinders in which blocks or slides (having cross-heads in which the ends of the piston-rods are4 secured) are designed to work` and-also trunnion-bearings for the reception of the trunnions of the gun, whereby itis supported and.

ydesigned to operate in taking up the recoil. 8o

'lhe invention consists, furthermore, of a series of recoil-cylinders connected in pairs by plates which are secured by trunnions in the cheeks of the carriage,asabove described, and are further provided with blocks or slides in which the gun is trunuioned, the slideshaving cross-heads at their forward ends, in which are secured the extreme ends of the hollow pistou-rods by means of nuts, said rods extendimr rearward through suitably-packed glands 1n the heads of the recoil-cylinders, and provided with cylindrical valverods, whereby a portion of the air below the piston is admitted to the space above the head, for the purpose to be hereinafter described. n l

'lhe invention consists, furthermore, of the@ above-described hollow piston-rods provided with chambered heads having suitable paS.- sages leading therefrom to the interior or forward end of the cylinder, which, in combination with the tapering valve-rods of the hollow pistons, at predetermined intervals or IOO when the gun is tired takes up the recoil by means of the cushion formed of compressed air and allows a sufficient amount. to pass to the forward ends ot' the cylinders to nearly form an equilibrium of pressureon both sides of thee` istons, thereby taking up the counter-reco l and forming n. positive elastic cushion by whichl the dead-weight of the guns-is supported.

The/'invention consists, furthermore, 'of a series of recoil-cylinders provided with system of pipes, which connect the cylinders and also a check-valve and cock i'n order t0 maintain an'eqnilibrium of pressure and by which they are supplied with air, said cylinders being trunnioned between the cheeks of the carriage` the trunnioncd bearings of the gun in the slides adapted tb work in the ways formed in the connecting-plates of the cylinders, the slides provided with cross-heads extending forward and carrying the extreme ends of the piston-rods of the recoil-cylinders, and when the gun is tired a positive cushion is formed at the termination of the recoil, the air that is displaced from under the pistons in their descent to the annular space on the other side of pistonsforming a cushion for the counter-recoil of the gun.

The invention consists, furthermore, of mechanism for elevating and depressing the gun, also for traversing the same, adapted to be controlled by hand-wheels to be gunner.

The invention consists, f urthermore,l of novel details of construction, whereby the objects of the invention are attained.

I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partlyin section, of the gun and mount, the mortar being shown at sixty-five degrees, which is indicated by the index, and in dotted lines the mortar is shown in its recoil and load-ing positions;-'Fig. 2 represents a pla view of the carriage, showing in dotted lines the gun in a horizontal position and the graduated scale and index for indicating the traverse of the carriage.' Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, partly in section, showing the construction and arrangement of parts forming the carnage.

in convenient reach of the Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the mechanism for lsupporting and taking-up the recoil of the gun and for elevat-ing and depressing the same, and for the' supply and equalization of pressure of air in the pneumatic cylinders; and Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line aya: of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, A represents the sole or racer plate, which is securely bolted to the foundation, upon which travels a live rollerring A', adapted to-support a circular bedplate A. 'This bed-plate A2 is provided with pillars or stays A3, which serve to' stiten the plate, also, to form= bearings for a series of `neutralizing rollers A, which are held in place by means of headed pins or journals A5, se-

means of hand-wheels, said .run the ycured in the said pillars, thus obviating the 'necessity of a central pivot, thereby producing a compact construction which entails less weight and reduces the cost of manufacture. The cheeks B B of the carriage are mounted upon and securely bolted to the bedplate A2, being further supported by a forward transom B. In the upper portion of the cheeks large trunnion-bearings B2 are formed, and are provided with square caps b, as shown. n

Arranged on each side of the gun isaseries of pneumatic recoil-cylinders C C C C. In this instance four are shown cast in pairs and connected by strong plates c, which are provided with large trunnions c', adapted to be supported in bearings B2, formed in the upper portion of the cheeks Bof the carriage, and designed to support the entire weight of the gun and apparatus for arresting the recoil and also acting as the main pivot in elevating or depressing the gun, and are further secured in position by the nuts c2. Theseplatesc are also provid ed with ways c3 for the reception of trunnion blocks orslides o4, in which the gun is mounted, and are provided at their forward endswith cross-heads c5, which confine the extreme ends of .the piston-rods c, which work -in the recoil-cylinders by means of the nuts c7.

As these recoil-cylinders are of similar construction, a description of one will suice to give a clear understanding of thedevice. A cylinderC, Fig. 4,is provided with a'suitablypacked gland c8 at its forward end, through which passes a hollow piston-rod c6, provided with a piston-head ci. A chamber co in the pist0n-head communicates with the forward portion of the cylinder through the openings c and with the rear portion by means of an opening cl2 in the piston-head coincident with the bore of the piston-rod, in which a tapering rod or valve D, having one end suitably secured in the rear head of the cylinder and the other end adapted to work in the opening of the rod, as shown. In the drawings, Fig. 4,

this rod D is shown of the same diameter at its cxtreme 'ends for the purpose of closing the com municatin g passage-ways between the vspaces on each side of the piston-head. As

the communicating air-passages c1l between the cylindrical spaces on each side of the piston-heads e9 are opened by means of the descent of the pistons c, a suicient amount of air passes from the lower to the' upper ends of the cylinders to nearly form an equilibrium of pressure on both sides; but, owing to the differential areas of the two sides of the pistons, the pressure on the lower sides is sucient to gun into battery at all degrees of elevation required. As the pistons continue to descend, the air-passages are closed by the cylindrical rods D, thereby forming a positive elastic cushion for the purpose of arresting the recoil; also, for supporting the deadweight of the gun and accompanying mechamsm.

E indicates a system of pipes connecting IOO IIO

the recoil-cylinders, in order to inaintain an equilibrium of pressure and by which they are supplied with air.

- plate A.

cated by an index-finger L', traveling over a E' is a check-valve and'cock connecting with the compressors that supply the air.

An elevating-band F is secured in position,

on the mortar in front of the trunnion-band 'by the bolts G.

II are elevating-racks, which are secured to the under side of the recoil-cylinders C, engaging pinions H', mounted on a cross-shaft Il", having bearings in the cheeks of the carriage. On the projectingend of this shaft outside of the carriage is mounted a friction worm-gear H2, which is operated by means of worm H3, shaft H4, and hand-wheel H5. Turning the hand-wheel in either direction causes the elevation or depression of the gun, and the number of degrees will be indicated by the indeX-fingerI on the dial I on the side of the carriage.

lraversing the carriage is performed b means of the hand-wheel K, the motion-of which is communicated to the carri age through the medium of a shaft K', bevel-gears K2, shaft K3, worin-gear K4, shaft and pinion K5, and circular rack K6, which is secured to the racer- The degrees of traverse are indicircular graduated scale L2, which is secured to the wall-plate L. The index-fingei-L' is attached to the circular bed-plate A2, and is designed to indicate the length of n1oveinent.`

To prevent the carriage from lifting when the mortar is red at a low angle, sustainingclips M are employed, which engage an overhanging flange M' of the racer-plate A.

To supply any deliciency'of air in the recoil-cylinders, arising from slight leakages, a small hand air-pump N is attached to the carriage. y

The operation of the carriage is as follows: By the arrangement of parts herein shown and described, the recoil-cylinders C can be supplied with compressed air at ve hundred (500) pounds pressure, by hand-power, in thirty minutes with a portable air-compressor. Immediately following the completion of this step in the operation,the hand-Wheel H5 is revolved, and through the train of gearing motion is communicated to the mortar, which is depressed into almost a horizontal position, in which position it is loaded. The gun being loaded, the hand-wheel H5, controlling the elevating mechanism, and hand-wheel K, controlling the traversing mechanism, are revolved, and the gun is trained to the desired position or angle of elevation, which will be indicated by the index-finger I when the gun is'ready for firing. After firing the recoil is taken up by the pneumatic recoil-cylinders and the gun automatically-returned to battery, when the operation, as above described, is repeated.

In describing my invention I do not claim the use of compressed air for taking up of the recoil and counter-recoil of the gun,as the idea is broadly covered by patent to James A.

Powlett, assignor tothe riage Company, No. 339,466, dated April 6, 1886.

Pneumatic Gun Car- 4 Having thus fully described my invention, :y what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a gun-mount, an all-round traverse, a circular bed-plate t-hereon,a `carriage on the 'bed-plate, and means operating independently of the traverse for centralizing the carriage on the said plate.

2. In a gun-mount, an all-round traverse, a circular bed-plate thereon, a carriage on the bed-plate,and rollers operatingindependently of the traverse for centralizing the carriage on the said plate.

3. In a gun-mount,ai1 all-round traverse, a circular bed-plate thereon, a carriage on the bed-plate, and rollers carried by the bed-plate and operating independently of the traverse for centralizing the carriage thereon.

4. In a giin-mount having an all-round traverse, a circular bed plate er table, cheeks secured thereon and supporting in bearings the pneumatic recoil-cylinders, which are cast in pairs and arranged on each side of the gun,

slide-blocks into which the gun is trunnioned, said slides adapted to Work in ways formed between the recoil-cylinders and provided with cross-heads, tubular piston-rods, chambered piston-heads having communicating passages, and a differential cylindrical v alve, substantially as and for thepurpose described. 5. In a gun-mount, an all-round traverse, a circular bed-plate having pillars .or stays, a carriage on the bed-plate, and rollers inthe pillars or stays for centralizing the carriage on the bed-plate.

6. In a giin-inount, a series of pneumatic recoil-cylinders arranged as described, slideblocks working in Ways between the recoilcylinders, the elevating-band secured to the slide-blocks, mechanism for elevating and depressing the gun to be controlled by handwheels, and a system of tell-tales for indicating the elevation and traverse of the gun, substantially as set forth.

7. In a gun-mount, a series of pneumatic recoil-cylinders arranged as described and provided with trunnions which are supported in bearings in the cheeks of the carriage, slide- `blocks Working in ways between said recoilcylinders and into which the gun is trunnioned, the elevating-racks H, pinions H', friction worm-gear H2, worm H3', shaft H4, and hand-wheel H5, substantially as described.

8. In a gun-mount, a series of pneumatic recoil-cylinders arranged 'as described and provided with trunnions which are supported in bearings in the cheeks of the carriage, slideblocks working in ways between said recoilcylinders and into which the gun is trunnioned, the elevating mechanism and travers- IOO IIO

angle of elevation 'and traverse of The gun, Substantially as described.

n a gun-mount, a al1-round traverse, a circular bed-plate thereon, and a carriage on the said plate having its cheeks provid ed with trunnion-bearings, in Combination with a series of pneumatic cylinders arranged in pairs about; the gun, said cylinders having trunnions engaging the trunnion-bearings.

i0. Acarriageand agun truunioned thereon, in combinationwith pneumatic recoil-cylinders arranged in pairs on each side of the gun and trunnioned in the carriage-cheeks, mechanism connecting the cylinders with the gun, airsupp1y and equilibrium pipes com municating with the cylinders and with a suitable source of supply, andacheek-valve for regulating the supply of air t0 the said pipes.

In` testimony whereof I afiix signature in I presence of two witnesses.

HARRY A. SPILLER. \Vitnesses.

AND. SUNDELIN, )ALEB L. KING. 

